Chapter 10
TEN
CARINA
“This is awesome,” Evelin says, her voice filled with excitement as she drives. “I love exploring the area, but this is different. I know I’ve thanked you several times already in the past two weeks, still, I can’t help it. It’s just awesome to be a part of this.”
I laugh and grin over at Evelin. “You’ve thanked me every day, not several, but it’s me that’s thankful to you. I mean, this has been great. I’d forgotten all there is to do in this county. I’ve already gotten so much for the article, and we’re not even near done with it.”
“How long do you typically stay in one area when you’re working?” she asks, flipping the turn signal to turn toward the doctor’s office.
In the past weeks, she and I have explored going everywhere on the Isle of Wight. My favorite was when we were at Windsor Castle Park in Smithfield. It was just so beautiful there. I couldn’t believe how much Carrolton had changed over the years.
When I’m not with Evelin exploring the area, Pyro has been with me.
Every evening we’ve spent time together, and I found out that those weeks I didn’t see him, he slept next to me at night, though only for a few short hours.
It seems he doesn’t sleep that much, said it was just how he was.
His internal clock wakes him four hours after he crashes.
It would suck only to sleep four hours a night. I don’t see how he functions. Then again, I’m not a dragon.
“Typically, I’m in one area for at least a month, sometimes six weeks. I like to make sure I’m thorough when it comes to the information I gather.” I shrug and wait for Evelin to find a parking spot.
“You know, I’ve read your blog. I followed it before I knew you were Inferno’s sister. It’s awesome. Plus, the pictures you take, do you do them all on your phone?”
“Usually, I have a camera I use, but it was broken in the wreck.” It’s the one thing that was damaged besides me and my phone.
“That sucks, but the pictures you’re getting on your new phone are awesome.”
Evelin parks the car, and to my surprise, it’s next to two bikers, one of whom is Pyro.
“Yeah, it does take great pictures. They’ll work for the time being, but I’m going to have to get a new camera eventually.
I could do it now, but it’ll eat into my savings,” I tell her and open the passenger door just as Pyro gets to it.
“What are you doing here?” My heart flutters at the sight of him and how gorgeous he looks in his cut.
“Came for your appointment,” he answers and helps me out before getting my crutches out of the backseat.
God, I really hope that I won’t need them anymore after today. I hate those things.
“You didn’t have to come. I was fine with Evelin.” Though, I’m really happy he’s here. I’ve liked the fact that he’s here with me. We’ve gotten to know each other in the past two weeks a lot better. I find myself missing him when he’s not around.
But I’ve also enjoyed being around Evelin as well. I’ve learned a lot from her about what it means to be with someone in the club. I can’t say I don’t enjoy being with Francie, but Evelin grew up in the life and knows it better. She’s able to tell me things that Francie couldn’t.
Like with the woman at the clubhouse who the guys call horas. Club women who stay around to fuck the guys. I don’t really like it, but to each their own. As long as they stay away from Pyro.
It’s stupid of me to think, but I don’t want him with anyone other than me.
Granted, we haven’t done anything yet. He’s kissed me, held me while I slept, but there’s been nothing else.
No heavy petting or touching. Nothing. It’s been driving me mad.
Especially when he’s wearing nothing but a pair of basketball shorts.
All that well-toned muscle has my fingers itching to touch, to explore.
“I’ll wait out here for you, Carina,” Evelin calls as Pyro guides me with a hand on my lower back, patiently waiting for me to hobble along on the crutches.
“Okay,” I say loud enough for her to hear without shouting, then look up at Pyro. “I hope I don’t have to wear this thing any longer. Or that I can at least lose the crutches.”
“We’ll see what the doc says,” Pyro grumbles.
I nod and wait for him to get the door. I could have just pushed the button for it to open for me, but he went ahead and opened it.
Checking in is a simple process, and I sit to wait for them to call me to the back. It doesn’t take long. Maybe a full ten minutes.
The nurse takes my blood pressure and all that fun stuff before taking me straight to X-ray. “The doctor wanted us to go ahead and get your X-ray out of the way, make it easier on both of you.”
“Much appreciated,” I tell her with a smile.
I can feel Pyro right behind me. The heat of him radiates off him in waves.
With him near, I don’t even need a coat.
Not that I was wearing one anyway. Today’s outfit was a pair of black leggings (easy to wear with the damn boot) and a long-sleeve shirt, fitted to my chest, with a fleece cardigan vest that looks absolutely fabulous.
The only downside to the whole thing is the boot and crutches.
Pyro ends up waiting just outside the X-ray room while the nurse gets the X-rays done. When I rejoin him, he presses a kiss to the side of my head without a word and follows me and the nurse to the exam room.
“The doctor will be just a few minutes,” the nurse says and closes the door behind her.
I look at Pyro as I set the crutches to the side, sit on the exam table, and take the boot off my foot. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” he grunts, bouncing his knee.
“You sure?” I feel the frustration coming off him. It’s heavy around him.
“I’m good, Sweets.” Pyro meets my gaze with his intense one.
“Then why do you seem like you’re mad?”
“What makes you think that?” he asks, cocking a brow in the way he does.
I shrug and look at him closely. “You just seem frustrated,” I start and then sigh. “I can feel the frustration.”
“You can feel it?” His eyes widen marginally.
Rather than use words, I nod.
Before he can say anything else, there’s a knock at the door, and it opens.
“How are you doing, Carina?” Doctor Brandt asks, not looking up from the tablet in his hand until the door closes behind him. Then he smiles at me. It’s that same hot smile he had the last time I was here. But it’s nothing compared to Pyro’s grins.
“I’m good. Tell me I can get off these crutches,” I tell him, not letting his hotness affect me. Nothing about him has anything on Pyro.
Doctor Brandt smiles. “I’ve looked at the X-ray.
You’re healing well. I’d like for you to stay in the boot for at least another two weeks, but I don’t see why you should need to use the crutches.
You can sleep without the boot, but don’t do any walking.
We’ll see you back here after the two weeks and possibly put you in a brace instead. ”
“Awesome. I’m tired of sleeping in the damn thing. It’s uncomfortable.” I laugh and look at Pyro. “No more crutches, yay.”
Pyro smirks at me. “That’s good, Sweets.”
Doctor Brandt turns, and I guess he’s surprised at seeing Pyro. He hadn’t looked at him before now.
“I’m Doctor Brandt,” the doctor introduces himself to Pyro, his hand outstretched.
“Pyro.” Pyro takes the doctor’s hand as he stands. “What limitations will my woman have?”
Jeez, he went for the whole ‘woman’ thing, staking his claim.
Doctor Brandt smirks and shakes his head. “No reason to think of me as competition, my partner would have my skin.” He winks at me. “He’s not too keen on sharing me either.”
I snort and shake my head. “I would imagine so with your looks.”
He laughs and looks back at Pyro. “Limitations, just take it easy. Don’t let her walk around constantly. If she has the boot off, it might be good to ice it. But mostly keep the boot on when not in bed.”
“Right.” Pyro nods and steps to my side.
Doctor Brandt takes a few moments to look at my foot. Touches on it, presses tenderly in places, and gives me more instructions.
Finally, when it’s time to go, Pyro helps me with my boot, and Doctor Brandt stops at the door.
“I know you don’t want the crutches, but I’d advise you to keep them for those days when it’s just too much for you.
I don’t want you to overdo it with walking.
Even if you use the crutches when you’re tired. ”
“Fine, I’ll keep them for the time being,” I mutter.
“I’ll carry them out for you, Sweets,” Pyro offers, taking them from Doctor Brandt. “Let’s get your appointment set.”
Smiling up at him, I nod.
Five minutes later, I have my next appointment set, and we’re heading outside. Evelin’s sitting on the trunk of her car, Fire pressing into her, and the two of them are making out heavily.
Damn.
It must be nice.
Pyro stops me before we make it halfway to them, turns me to face him, and wraps his arm, not holding my crutches, to him. I tilt my head up just in time to meet his gaze as his head comes down, lips slanting over mine.
Oh my God.
Pyro is kissing me, and not just a chaste kiss. No, a hot and heavy kiss that leaves me feeling like I’m ready to fall at his feet.
When he pulls back, we’re both breathing heavily.
“What was that for?” I ask, breathy like.
“Been wantin’ to do that for weeks now, Sweets,” Pyro murmurs against my lips.
“Then why haven’t you?” Now, I’m confused. I mean, he could have kissed me like that and so much more.
“You’re hurt, Carina.” He lifts his head enough to meet my eyes, but not so far away from me that we’re not close.
“I won’t do anything that could jeopardize your progress.
I know it’s just your leg now, but regardless, I want you comfortable when I touch you.
” He presses his lips to mine. “I want you comfortable when I kiss you.”
Well, okay then. That sounds sweet and sexy all at the same time. I like it. Maybe a little too much.
Either way, I don’t care, they’re words coming from his mouth.
“Are we going sightseeing for this article or what?” Evelin shouts, interrupting the moment.
Laughing, I glance her direction. “Yeah, we’re going.” Turning my attention back to Pyro, I grin. “We’re going to go to the bar. I’m adding it to what I’m writing since it’s one of the best places in the area to go for a drink and all the fun stuff.”
“Then I’ll meet you there.” He grins back. “No way am I lettin’ my woman be at the club’s bar without me there. Not happenin’.”
I want to ask him why, but I kind of like the idea of him joining me. Since my appointment was so late in the day, now’s the perfect time to go and be there to see what happens and check out the atmosphere throughout the evening and into the night.
With Pyro there, I’m sure it’ll be even more fun. The best part, I don’t need crutches to get around.